Sono-Pac Software -- Licensing Problems with Transducers

There are several issues that can influence this error code. The MAJOR one involves a failure in the batteries onboard the Common Video Controller PCB, which is located in the Scan Converter Card Cage -- basically the top of the system.

The CVC is host to battery backed RAM which holds ALL user defined information (applications, some optional calculation packages in OB, encryption strings, time and date, printer settings, etc). The batteries on the CVC are 3.9v Lithium -- link: http://u-d-s.com/productDetail.php?cate … amp;id=384

There is another board (could also be a set of two) called the MEX or Memory Expansion board. The EPROM's on this board (or boards) control what probes can run on the system in tandem with the encryption strings, for instance: L7 is licensed to run on the system, but does NOT have the microcode on the MEX board... the L7 will NOT run. The reverse is true as well... just because you have a list of probes in your "Version Report" doesn't mean they will all be licensed to run in the "Configuration Report".

If your batteries run out while the system is off, the next time it is powered up you will probably see a bunch of text all over the screen, the time and date will be set to JAN-01-00, and NONE of your transducers (except for the V328, i think... or one of the really old Linear probes -- the manufacturer had these hardcoded for testing purposes in the manufacturing process) will work. The error will be encased in ****'s and be something like "software sono-pac for this transducer has not been licensed", I don't remember the exact verbiage... but that's the basics of it.

With that in mind, it is best to record down any information you want to keep PRIOR to this happening... chances are no one does any sort of back-up until a problem occurs... then we scramble to figure it out. So how do you go about getting back to operational?
Step 1 -- new batteries, install on the CVC.
Step 2 -- input Encryption Strings into the system.
Step 3 -- re-enter all the data you can remember you had and tweak the system back to your standard operating terms.
Step 4 -- RECORD ALL DATA YOU'VE ENTERED.

UPDATE:
In regards to all of the posts that have "Strange characters/signs/letters" on the screen, I've attached a photo of this happening, as well as the way to remove it. It doesn't harm the system, it's merely the result of the battery backed RAM losing power, then receiving power whenever the system is turned on -- you could liken it to computer confusion.